The 'Left Coast Lifter' is on its way to New York from California. The huge crane will be used in the construction of the replacement for the Tappan Zee Bridge. (supplied photo)

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The Left Coast Lifter is set to begin its four-day passage through the Panama Canal this weekend, a major milestone in the crane’s 6,000-mile voyage to the Hudson River where it will help build the new Tappan Zee Bridge.

The giant machine, one of the world’s largest floating cranes, is scheduled to arrive in New York at the end of the month. Video and photos of its trip through the Panama Canal will be posted on NewNYBridge.com, project officials said Friday.

The massive machine is owned by two companies that make up Tappan Zee Constructors, the consortium designing and building the new Tappan Zee. The Left Coast Lifter left the Port of Oakland in California on Dec. 22 and is being accompanied by a tugboat team from Seattle.

Meanwhile, TZC officials said Friday they hope to resume pile driving in the Hudson on Monday, but that depends on how much ice melts over the weekend.

“Safety is our first priority as our team continues to evaluate the winter weather conditions,” TZC spokeswoman Carla Julian said in an email.

TZC was forced to suspend work in the river this week after temperatures plunged into the single digits and ice formed. Crews had been installing giant steel piles for the foundation of the new 3-mile crossing.

Brutal weather has been a big challenge for project leaders. On Jan. 3, strong winds and choppy water during a snowstorm caused two construction barges to break away from their moorings. One drifted more than 10 miles before it was recovered near Spuyten Duyvil in the Bronx.

It was the second time in recent months bridge construction equipment had gotten loose from the site. State officials plan to order TZC to install GPS devices on its barges so they can be monitored.